The museums "Modern Painting"

Modern Art lover, President Georges Pompidou wanted to build a big contemporary art museum and free library with free access. Although disapproving the project finally adopted by the jury, he did not try to question it. The architects have desired to build a familiar building such as a factory, play and curious, " certainly not an intimidating temple of culture ".

The Picasso museum has been installed in the hôtel Salé constructed in 1656. The museum has been able to constitute itself in 1985 thanks to the new law on the endowment in payment of the inheritances taxes : the State inherited of 203 paintings, 158 sculptures, more than 3000 drawings. Wanted by Jacqueline Picasso, a second endowment enriched the museum in 1990. The museum also shows about a hundred works from contemporary artists, once owned by Picasso. Diego Giacometti has drawn the furniture of the museum. The brother of the sculptor, Alberto, created between others, the seats, the chairs and the tables in bronze, the center lights in white resin. Organized in a chronological way, the museum succeeds, in some ways, to the museum of Barcelona. It starts with the blue and pink period, continues with the cubist paintings but especially shows the works done after the 20s.